The Philadelphia Phillies had their game-ending comeback against the Los Angeles Dodgers crushed by one costly mistake on the base paths.
The Phillies had Brandon Marsh at the plate trailing the Dodgers 2-1 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa. The All-Star slugger had runners on second and third with just one out, meaning a soft grounder or deep fly ball would have easily tied the game.
Marsh hit the ball on the ground, but right at third baseman Max Muncy. Phillies pinch runner Justin Crawford went on contact and got hung up between third and home. Catcher J.T. Realmuto, the Phillies’ runner at second, got all the way to third base but reversed course during the rundown. He got tagged out as he was sliding back to second base.
It’s safe to say Phillies fans, both at the stadium and watching from their couches at home, were not happy about it.
The Philadelphia Phillies just lost a baseball game in the most mind numbing, logic defying, braindead, incompetent way you could possibly imagine
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) July 22, 2026
HOW HOW HOW DOES THIS BS HAPPEN pic.twitter.com/FKFPNXSrdL
Realmuto was already standing at third base when he saw Crawford virtually dead to rights on the base paths. Whatever possessed him to run back to second base foiled the Phillies’ comeback chances with an unusual game-ending double play.
“It was just a bad baserunning play, really. … Once [Crawford] gets in the rundown, there’s no reason for me to go back to second,” Realmuto told reporters after the game. “It’s just a lack of judgment. Can’t make two outs on that play. Just got to stay in scoring position.”
Realmuto added he “for some reason” thought Crawford had a chance at escaping the rundown and getting back to third base, which meant the Phillies catcher had to vacate his spot there.
The Phillies and Dodgers go back at it again on Wednesday for the rubber match of their three-game series.
